A/N: Can anyone see this? Site is glitching out! New chapters and new stories aren't appearing properly!
Double update day! This, and another story~! Seems I was wise to wait for the DLC~!
So we've a short chapter this time. I'm not pushing myself, lest I have another anxiety attack. With this, all that remains to be update is For Love of a Witch and No Strings on Me -Slifer will be helping with that one, but we likely won't see it until next month due to our schedules- and then we'll be caught up!
Just wanted to say, I appreciate you all! More feedback means faster updates! It's especially important, in these, trying times, with the main site notifications down. Every word counts and i appreciate you all! All these reviews really keep me inspired! Looking forward to hearing from you~!
Speaking of which, I finally bested the last boss on NG 4 after many hours, I've beaten the DLC...and I'm going again.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
SPOILERS FOR SHADOWS OF THE ERDTREE AHEAD!
"Thour aren't Tarnished, it seemeth...
~?
Scarlet Family
Malenia was proud of herself.
She had every reason to be of course, she'd bested one of her kin and taken the first steps down the blood road of vengeance-even if said kin had been laid out on a silver platter for her-but more than that she had grown stronger in the years hence. She had grown up and out, and while Godfrey and Naruto reassured her she still had much more to go, she still took some petty childish pride in her newfound height.
Better yet, she even had a friend now. Nepheli was a little strange, downright odd at times, but she still counted her as a comrade.
The chieftains' daughter understood that much; how the world worked and how to MAKE it work in your favor.
What she didn't understand was thus:
"What are we hunting?"
For his part, Naruto appeared mildly amused by her confusion as he led her deeper into the thicket. Malenia ducked under a branch and wove around a bunch of brambles, huffing a little now as they caught on her armor. The laughter that followed stoked her temper further. That alone proved her mercurial mentor could still fell some small semblance of emotion despite the relative numbness of his body. It irked her more than she cared to admit. How was she to learn from him if he wouldn't teach her?
"Deer." he said simply.
That much was obvious; they could hardly hunt Runebears with a greatbow, entertaining though that might be. "Which way?"
"Simple." He glanced over his shoulder at her with a wry smirk. "In the direction of-
"Deer." She finished with a glower, catching his meaning. "You're not funny. Why are we out here?"
"To teach you patience." He tapped two fingers to her forehead. "In the fights to come, you can't go charging in blindly. Do you think the rest of your kin will be such easy prey?
…no.
He didn't treat her like a child, even if she was one. She was…grateful for that.
Any chance of a normal childhood for her had died with Miquella. She would take what she could. What little she still had.
Godwyn the Golden, Morgott and Mohg, even the legendary Radahn, they were all part and parcel in her being cast out; none had tried to save her. She'd heard darker rumors still since she'd left the capital. Not a one of them surprised her. Not anymore.
They would pay with Mother and Father.
"Stop that." a fist tapped her skull, drawing a scowl from her. "You aren't the only one who craves vengeance against Marika."
A sullen snarl tugged at her lips. "Because I deserve it! I made one mistake and they were all but tripping over themselves to see me cast out of the city!"
"You think you know what anger is." he clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Trust me, you don't. You have no idea what anger is. You were hounded from the capital much like us, but-
"Like you?" she interjected before his argument could find a fresh head of steam." You never really told me."
He kept walking, forcing her to jog to keep up. "One day I will."
Malenia kept staring at him until he relented.
"Fine. Lets call it a mistake." he ran a hand through his frazzled hand. "I thought I could fix things. I was wrong..but also right."
She knew that tone. "What did you do?"
"You'll understand someday, when you take the crown."
Well, that wasn't ominous at all now, was it? It almost sounded as if he'd deliberately paved the way for her return. But they hadn't met one another until the badlands; she hadn't even been born back then.
But that would mean-
"Deer."
His statement commanded her attention, demanded obedience.
Hunching down, Malenia glimpsed it just ahead; a beautiful buck, truly massive, its antlers gleaming in the morning dew. Its coat was the purest white and she was sure there had to be some significance there; perhaps it was old, maybe it was a rare breed, or the king of these woods, but here and now the hunger in her drove such thoughts away.
'...forgive me.'
It didn't see them, too busy feeding in the brush, wholly oblivious to its demise. Or perhaps it felt no fear due to its sheer size. Even a Runebear would hesitate to hunt such a glorious stag as this. It might even be able to kill one of them. Truly, it seemed a pity to kill it...but the Tribe had to eat. Out with the old, and in with the new.
Naruto handed her the bow and, after a moment's pause, she accepted. "Deep breaths."
She ignored him, set her arrow to the string, and drew it back,
One shot, one kill.
The arrow flew straight and true into the stag's eye; it was a marvelous headshot; by all accounts a merciful one; the great beast died without feeling any pain. She certainly hoped so. Lowering her greatbow, she watched as its once proud body slumped to the ground with nary a sound.
"Well done." Naruto clapped her on the shoulder. "Best be getting back, though. Ser Messmer should have arrived by now."
Malenia followed him with a frown. "Ser Messmer...?"
Her guardian slung the deer over his shoulder and started walking. "You'll see soon enough."
Malenia stomped after him. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"Nope~!"
(.0.0.0.)
She saw him soon enough.
This "Ser Messmer" turned out to be a tall, slender redheaded fellow clad in crimson. A pair of slender scarlet snakes wreathed around his body, hissing occasionally. The sight was so foreign to her that she actually found herself given pause for a moment, such was her awe. He was in talks with Godfrey-no, Hoarah Loux she reminded herself- as they drew near, and didn't even seem to notice them at first.
She soon saw why; he'd been blinded in his left eye. Only his right remained, shining with the telltale grace of gold.
Said eye narrowed upon her a moment later, half-lidded with intrigue. "And what have we here?"
"Peace," Godfrey grasped his shoulder. "She's an exile, just as you are."
Malenia shrank back despite herself. There was something off about this man. Something odd. Not necessarily dangerous, but...different. He didn't radiate subtle menace like the rest of their kin; instead he simply seemed - oh, what was the word? Weary? Yes, that was it.
Yet she felt drawn to him somehow. Why was this?"
"This," Naruto nudged past her, gesturing grandly. "Is Messmer. Your elder brother...
Shock rattled her from head to toe and momentarily took her hearing with it. Realm of Shadows? She'd heard tell of such a place, albeit only briefly. Mother had initially wanted to send her there after Miquella's unseemly demise, rather than the Badlands. Radagon refused.
Looking upon this ravishing redhead, she could see why.
No, no, no. Wait! Brother?! As in a sibling?! Kin?!
Ah, but Naruto was still speaking:
...I only told him about you just last week; imagine my surprise when he smashed his way out of the Realm of Shadows to get here. Can you believe it?" he scratched the back of his head with a bemused smile. "Since its your birthday and all, we wanted to surprise you."
Malenia tilted her head. "Brother...?"
"Sister." Messmer stared at her stoically, uncaring as the serpents bound to him flitted to and fro. "How very quaint." he noticed the marks upon her arms. "It seems you are as accursed as I."
She glared at him, defensive despite herself. "Is that a problem?"
"None at all." He granted her a small, sad smile. "Mother was ever quick to abandon that which frightened her, and Father even worse."
She lifted her chin, trying to master her trembling lip. "Then it would seem we have a common cause."
"Indeed we do...
Naruto coughed into a fist. "We'll just be going, then...
"No," Messmer rasped. "Stay. I would have you witness this.
"Witness what?"
As they looked on, he removed his serpentine helmet -handsome, her heart bleated!- and knelt before her, leaning upon his spear.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself, little sister. I am Messmer. First of the Demigods." his very words reverberated with power. "I pledge my spear to you, sibling of mine. No sword shall find thee, not arrow strike thee." Down came his spear, thumping stolidly upon the soil. "I shall safeguard thee from harm, both within and without. I swear upon…hmm." he paused for a moment, wrestling with something she couldn't see. "Upon what passes for my soul, he said at last, "blackened and twisted thought it might be. I shall be your Lance."
Malenia scooted closer.
He was no Miquella but he didn't have to be.
Her brother was dead and gone. Probably never coming back, at that.
This was different. To have kin that understood her suffering, someone who knew her pain, her curse, and did not spit upon her for it...there were no words. She'd long since forsaken the idea of family, accepting that she may well have to slaughter them all, yet here was someone who had suffered the same as her, no, perhaps even worse than her. And yet despite all that, he didn't demean nor denigrate her.
She sniffled and walked into Messmer's chest.
Her elder brother stiffened, freezing, not sure what to do.
After a moment's pause he wound one arm around her shoulders.
That tore it it. The dam broke in her heart with a mighty crack.
Malenia buried her head in Messmer's shoulder.
And she wept.
A/N: Best boi Mesmmer is here and the Lands Between shall TREMBLE.
Do you want this to remain a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard! Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And have some previews -potential blot bin things- that I'm working on.
(Previews)
"Ooooh, he's handsome!"
"Nepheli, no!"
"Nepheli, yes!"
They traded blows and she fought back like a hellcat, scratching and clawing.
"Fight as hard or long as you like, won't make a difference." Naruto dodged a swipe, blue eyes flashing. "You'll give out sooner or later. But it does, you oughta know before this ends."
He stepped in, let the weapon bit into his shoulder. Grinned, now.
"I. Can't feel. ANY OF THIS."
"You will always be a monster, Naruto.
"Ha! Where I come from that's a compliment. I'm a monster alright. Monstrously strong." He stood. Cracked his neck. His wounds closed as they looked on. He spread his arms once with that same, kindly smile. "Care to try again?"
Hello, father.
Radagon choked in her grasp.
Malenia snarled at him, rotten wings blooming from her shoulders. "Did you miss me?"
Radahn did not draw his blades. It was rare indeed, to see him without his scrawny steed. "...little sister. I bear you no ill will.
Malenia glared at him. "Then step aside."
She wondered if he would.
EDIT: As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; holidays are HERE and basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore.
My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact...
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
Warm regards,
~Nz.
R ~!